Chukas

 בס״ד

Chukas

Mystery of Mysteries

a thought proposed audaciously:

That soul had left, all that remained

a klipa lying coldly

A soul it touched, yearns to return

as well, back to the holy

Take now one para adumah

for sacred physicality

Include some hyssop branches

reminiscent of humility

Next take fragrant cedarwood

prideful, noble, lofty

Add scarlet silk from crimson worms

to elevate the lowly

Reduce it all to smoking ash

blend with waters live and holy

This elixir proves a cleansing balm

soothing, scented, rosy

Sprinkle now the one who chanced

to touch a soul-less body

A dew that moistens earthly husks

neshama now sighs softly

The one who sprinkled tainted now

awaits renewal humbly.

Korach

 בס״ד

Korach

“Rav Lachem” you say to me,

“Rav Lachem” you say?

“Rav LaCHEM”, Bnei Levi,

To speak to me this way!

Where were you at Har Sinai,

When I stayed the Maker’s hand?

Where were you when the Meraglim spoke,

That was your time to stand.

You open up your mouth with scorn,

You claim a right by birth,

Indeed, a mouth shall open up,

And trap you in the earth.

And on that note, Bnei Levi,

That’s the only ground you’ll merit,

A village here, a village there,

That’s the birthright you’ll inherit.

So be content, my kinsmen,

With your elevated status,

To bear the kelim of the mishkan,

And sing the Ein Sof’s praises.

Shelach

 בס״ד

Shelach

I can’t believe there were so few,

Who thought to take a broader view,

To choose to follow Moshe’s lead,

Thus Calev and Yehoshua heed.

If only more had stood and said,

We trust Y’shua and Calev,

Relying on G-d’s outstretched arm,

To shield them from all hurt and harm.

If only they had raised their voice,

Those who saw the wiser choice,

How many votes would it have taken

To outpoll those who were mistaken?

Beha’loscha

בס״ד 

Beha’aloscha

Did the menorah eighteen t’fachim high

Direct its beam up to the sky?

Or cast its light, as Rashbam said,

Towards the shulchan, with its bread?

Was the ikar just the central wick,

Supported by the other six,

The p’silos on the left and right,

To focus on that middle light?

Or did each taper forward lean,

To shine on lechem hapanim,

“el mul pnei” so says the verse,

panim/pnei a play on words?

I was not there, I cannot say,

We’ll have to wait until the day,

Once more Kohein ascends to face,

The menorah in its sacred space.

Naso

 בס״ד

Naso

For every kiddush there’s havdalah

For every body there’s a soul,

For tzara’as there’s tahara,

For every kodesh there’s a chol.

For the sota vindication

When she’s proven to be true

For the nazir restoration

To the status that he knew.

One might choose separation,

In order to reach higher,

Or forced into isolation

As a gossip or a liar.

Torah’s rhythm, like a heartbeat,

Separation and Return,

The intent to bring us closer yet,

As wisdom we discern.

Like crests of foam upon the breakers,

With each wave, an undertow,

We all ride this tidal current,

‘tween the ebbing and the flow.

Shavuos

 בס״ד

Shavuos

like erusin,

each choosing freely, 

delving far deeper than

resume and reference,

bound together, inseparable.

on shavuos

 the kesubah is

witnessed once more,

the tabas zu reforged,

and placed on a willing finger.

like bris milah

no klipah now remains

to separate

a holy G-d

from a holy People.

BaMidbar

 בס״ד

BaMidbar

In the center is the Mishkan

sheltered by the Levi’im

then the spokes extend to degel,

 shevet, family, and kin.

Surrounded by this iris

is the pupil of our vision,

like lids and lashes are the tribes,

each one in its position.

Together we can see as one,

divided not at all,

the path HaShem has set for us

to walk,

 and not to fall.